AN 81-year-old great grandmother died as a result of a road traffic crash on the A491 near Belbroughton, Worcestershire’s coroner has ruled.

Marguerite Scarle, of Grange Crescent, Rubery, died on August 23 – just a day short of her 82nd birthday - after the car she was travelling in was struck from behind by another vehicle.

The pensioner was taken to Russells Hall Hospital after the smash, which happened at Bell End near The Bell public house, but later died.

Mrs Scarle, who had celebrated her diamond wedding anniversary in June 2014, had been heading home from a theatre trip and visit to Hereford with her husband and daughter when their car was involved in a crash with two other cars.

An inquest into Mrs Scarle’s death confirmed she died as a result of the crash.